Branch holder



March 1950 D. D. KAMINSKI BRANCH HOLDER Filed Sept. 5, 1946 Patented Mar. 28, 1950 UNITED STATES BRANCH HOLDER David D. Kaminslri, Manitowoc, Wis.

Application September 5, 1946, Serial No. 694,932

2 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in branch holders and more particularly to a device of this character for securely holding a branch to the trunk of a Christmas tree whereby to improve the appearance of the tree.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a branch holder which is cut or stamped from a sheet of bendable metal to provide an article of this character of relatively low cost and which can be applied to a Christmas tree easily and without necessitating the use of separate fastening devices.

Another object of the invention is to provide a holder of this character adapted for holding branches of various sizes to the trunk of a tree.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the holder as cut or stamped from a sheet of metal.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the holder attached in position to the trunk of a tree for holding a branch thereon.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on a line 3-3 of Figure and Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on a line 44 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing in detail wherein for the purpose of illustration I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention the numeral 5 designates a flat strip of bendable metal having two parallel bendable metal straps 6 projecting in spaced parallel relation to each other from one side of the strip adjacent its lower end. On the opposite side of the strip 5 from the straps 6 project a pair of tongues l with vertical slots 8 formed therein for engaging the ends 9 of the straps 6.

At the upper end of the strip 5 are pairs of tongues l and l l, the ends of which project outwardly from opposite sides of the strip.

At the lower edge of the tongues II are a pair of triangular shaped tabs 82 which project from the opposite side edges of the strip 5.

A prong I3 is punched outwardly from the strip at a point between the straps 6.

In applying the device to a Christmas tree the flat strip 5 is placed vertically against the trunk M of the tree at any desired point and the prong I3 imbedded therein. The bendable metal straps 5 and tongues l are then bent around the trunk and the ends 9 of the straps are inserted into the slots 8 in the tongues l and are then bent against the outside of the tongues l as shown in Figure 2 of the drawing. The upper end of the strip 5, above the strap 6 and tongues l is then bent outwardly from the tree at an upwardly inclined angle and the tabs l2 are then bent downwardly with the edges it of the tabs resting against the upper strap 6 and tongue I as shown in Figure 3, to thus provide a pair-0f braces for the inclined upper end of the strip 5.

The upper end of the strip 5 thus forms an arm on which a branch ll is supported and the tongues ill and l l are then bent around the branch to hold the branch in place, the tongues IE! and it thus functioning as clips for gripping the branch.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings it is believed that a clear understanding of the construction, operation and advantages of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A branch holder comprising a strip of bendable material, means carried thereby for attaching the strip to a tree trunk, an arm projecting outwardly at the upper end of the strip and adapted to support a branch thereon, bendable tabs carried by the arm and bearing against the lower portion of the strip to brace the arm, said attaching means including arms projecting from said strip, tongues on said strip having slots therein for receiving said last mentioned arms lockingly therein.

2. Means for supporting a tree bough comprising a bendable strap including a body portion, a longitudinal arm integral with said body portion engageable with a tree member, a tongue secured to said body portion, a slot in said tongue, for receiving said longitudinal arm in locking engagement therewith, a strip extending from said body portion substantially normal to said longitudinal arm, tabs on said strip and bearing against said body portion for bracing said strip, a tongue secured to said strip for clasping a bough of a tree therein and locking means in said body portion for engaging a tree member.

DAVID D. KAMINSKI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 798,193 Lattey Aug. 29, 1905 1,677,379 Ames July 17, 1928 1,716,530 Oliver June 11, 1929 2,275,282 Bigham Mar. 3, 1942 

